Monday, February 13, 2017

This Month In Colonial History: February

Tadeusz Kosciuszko

Second month of my overview of colonial history! Enjoy!

February 4, 1746 - Thaddeus Kosciusko was born in Poland. Engineer who not only built the first
fortifications at West Point but managed the siege of Ninety Six, South
Carolina, during the summer of 1780. After the American Revolution, he returned
to his homeland and fought against a Russian invasion.

February 6, 1788 – The U.S. Constitution was ratified by a sixth state ... Massachusetts!

Aaron Burr

February 6, 1756 – Aaron Burr
was born in Newark, New
Jersey. Most famous for the death of Alexander Hamilton in 1804, but have you
heard of the Burr Conspiracy?
Or that he's the great-grandson of Jonathan Edwards? Neither had I!

February 13, 1635 – The first public (taxpayer supported) school in America, Boston Latin School.

February 22, 1732 - George Washington born. Commander of the Continental Army during the American
Revolution and first U.S. President.

George Washington, age 40

A few additions! “This month in Revolutionary War history,” with a catch-up for January ...

January-February 1779
– After taking Savannah, Georgia, the British prepare to move on Charles Towne.

January 17, 1781
– The Battle of Cowpens: definitive defeat of British and loyalist forces under
Tarleton by Continental regulars and militia under Daniel Morgan in upstate
South Carolina. The most important win of the Southern Campaign after King’s
Mountain.

February 1-14, 1781
- Race for the Dan: literal race between the Continental army (under Greene)
and British army (under Cornwallis) to get through North Carolina into
Virginia, which would give either army a strategical advantage.

January-February 1782
– The Siege of Charleston in reverse: after more than a year of thoroughly
wearing out the British army, Greene’s forces press in on Charles Towne to
effect a complete pull-out (not accomplished until Dec 1782).

With thanks to The History Place for their excellent lists, and Patrick O'Kelley's Nothing but Blood and Slaughter, Vols. 1-4.